McConnell started out as a first baseman, but became a spitballing pitcher. He won 30 games for Rochester (International League) in 1911, then had little success with the Highlanders. He topped the Federal League with 25 wins and a .714 winning percentage in 1915, but returned to mediocrity with the Cubs. (NLM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 10, 1913: President Woodrow Wilson, who receives a gold pass from Ban Johnson, throws out the first ball at Washington's home opener at National Park. Under new manager Frank Chance, New York is playing its first official game as Yankees. New York starter George McConnell, 8–12 last year as a 35-year-old rookie, allows just six hits but loses to Walter Johnson 2–1. Danny Moeller drives in both Nat runs with a single. After giving up an unearned run in the first, Johnson begins a string of shutout innings that will reach a record 55 2/3 before the St. Louis Browns score in the 4th on May 14th. Johnson scatters eight hits today, including one by 1B Charlie Sterrett. Regular first sacker Hal Chase, though left-handed, fills in at second base for injured player/manager Frank Chance. » August 22, 1915: In the FL, Newark takes two from Pittsburgh, winning the opener on Edd Roush's 10th inning inside the park homer. Newark leads by one percentage point over Kansas City, with Pittsburgh 3rd and Chicago 4th, only one 1/2 games separating the teams. The race is so close by season's end Newark will be 5th, six games out. Chicago will win it by one game with 86-66 to St. Louis 87-67 and Pittsburgh's 86-67. There will be nine 20-game winners, led by George McConnell's 25-10 for the Whales, the only year McConnell wins more than eight games. » February 10, 1916: In a sweet deal, the Cubs send cash to the sinking Chicago Whales (Federal League) and bring back Three Finger Brown, Clem Clemens, Mickey Doolan, Bill Fischer, Max Flack, Claude Hendrix, Les Mann, Dykes Potter, Joe Tinker, Rollie Zeider, and George McConnell. » April 12, 1916: In the opener at Cincinnati, the Cubs trounce the Reds, 7–1, behind the pitching of George McConnell. Fred Toney takes the loss.